Journal of Clinical and Experimental Investigations

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 week swimming exercise on adult sedentary men’s respiratory functions, resting heart rate, blood pressures and body composition.
Materials and methods: A total of 80 volunteers (40 in the study group, 40 in the control group), aged between 20 and 29 years were included. The participants’ body weight, percentage of body fat (PBF), body mass index (BMI), resting heart rate (RHR), systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressures (DBP), and respiratory functions were measured before and after 8 week of swimming training program and compared with each other.
Results: Significant decreases were observed between pre- and post-exercise (following 8 weeks exercise training) in PBF (18.1±5% vs. 14.3±4%, respectively), RHR (83.1±6/min vs. 74.6±3.8/min), DBP (83±7,2 mmHg vs. 74.6±3,8 mmHg) (p<0.001). Significant increases were observed between pre-test and post-test measurements in forced expiration volume (4.1±0.9 lt vs. 5.4±0.8 lt, respectively), forced vital capacity (4.4±1.1 lt vs. 6±1.1 lt) vital capacity (4.9±1.2 lt vs. 6.6±1.2 lt), maximum voluntarily ventilation (140.6±30.3 lt vs. 185.4±29 lt) (p>0.001). No significant differences were found between pre-test and post-test measurements in body weight (78.1±11.4 kg vs. 75.3±9.9 kg, respectively), BMI (25.2±3.9 kg/m² vs. 24.3±2.8 kg/m²) and SBP (127.6±11.8 mmHg vs. 115.8±5.1 mmHg) (p>0.05).
Conclusion: Eight weeks swimming exercise reduced the PBF and increased the forced expiration volume, maximum voluntarily ventilation, vital capacity and forced vital capacity. Swimming training also decreased RHR and balanced DBP.